I Fear, I want to Veneer

As my first post I would like to say hello to everyone and thanks for the welcome.I’m sure I will Love it here. Well, I’ll begin by saying I’m a beginner and am seeking adviseregarding veneer application (tools and adhesive and recommended finnish for a bathroom) -(humidity) without using a vacuum technique.
I have a nice peice of amboyna burl that I want to resaw and use on my new vanity im making for us ( my wife and son).

I also would like to ask about the Grizzly GO555 vs. the Grizzly GO555x Bandsaws 14” and is it worth spending the extra cash to get the (GO555x)1/2 HP more. the peice of burl is only 4 inches in width but i will buy a Timberwold or Woodslicer blade if you folks recommed that?

Thanks in advance.NeoDon

14 replies so far

I have a Rikon 10-325 and love it. I was searching for a bandsaw about a year ago when I came across Dick Cain's review. So, after reading that and Dick’s review, I was sold. I’m sure you’ll get some more information from the Jocks on this forum about Grizzly… it always seems to be half and half, some like it, some don’t. I don’t own any Grizzly products, so I have to be free from opinion….

Anyway, I have Timberwolf blades for my Rikon, and they cut fantastic. I’m very satisfied with the saw and the blades. You can see reviews of all kinds of blades here too, in the review section.

First off, one of our lumber jocks has a website that will tell you just about anything you want to know about veneering. http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com/I do my veneering with titebond II and an iron. Works good for what I do. Look up veneering in the search and you should find a few post about the method.

At this level you are going to get a quality saw irrespective of the brand. Usually the difference in prices that you see are related to way the saw is accessorized. I would recommend that you consider a riser block with the saw. It will expand your resawing capacity and really does not add that much to the cost of the saw.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the blade that comes with the saw is not a “quality” blade. I never bother to install mine and simply bought replacement Woodslicer and Timberwolf blades. Both have received excellent reviews.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

It’s tough to cut wood and get your own veneers. I’ve cut some at 1/16 of an inch but it real easy to have the saw blade to askew and end up ruining a couple of pieces of veneer. I usually cut about 1/8” and then thickness sand to get them flat. If I cut to 1/4 I then run them through the planer. I probably wouldn’t do that with a burl.

it might be better to purchase your veneer for your bathroom. Ebay is a great place. I’ve bought almost all of my veneer from ebay except for the veneers that I bought 25 years ago.

I use a vacuum press and veneer glue that I buy from www.joewoodworker.com

Make sure you practice a lot before you tackle your burl.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware soon moving to Virginia karsonwm@gmail.com †

I have a Grizzly bandsaw…check out my shop…it’s a 17 inch extreme…yeah more money than I wanted to spend…but I like it very much. It has good power…and I always say buy the most you can afford…you won’t be disappointed…so if you want more power…and expect some thicker pieces…like cutting veneer…go for it.Remember you’re also going to want a selection of blades…wider blades for veneer and narrower blades for more design elements…having an extra one or two around is also helpful in case you pop one….which hasn’t happened to me. I like Grizzly products…no complaints…and I like their service. My bandsaw was slightly damaged coming in probably from shipping…and Grizzly replaced the damaged parts without question…while I had to wait a week or more for replacement parts…they’re service was first rate.

RIKON Model # 10-320 Bandsaw w/ Stand , I love the look the size and the price, But the sheer size of it warrants abuse from my wife “That thing is too big, It probably uses to much electricity,It’s taking up all of the room in the garage!!!” :-( She already has most of my closet space and every other space in our home. But I’m thinkin this might be worth it? I’m already in my own private lil Hell, but I love my wife, lol , Rikon it may very well be…. That’s a BIG Sucker…

The only limiting factor about the RIKON Model # 10-320 Bandsaw w/ Stand is it’s non adjustable height limmit of 6” but I can tell it’s a real nice saw, don’t think I can swing the Deluxeversion. Wish I could. Oh Well wish I hit the Lotto. :-) .... Dream….. Yes this part of my multy teer garrageis my wood workshop where I have many many tools, why some of the I don’t even know what they do yet.But they look like they do do it well. Well lets take the elevator or the spiral staircase down to the automabilecollection and I’ll show you both my 2010 Mercedes-Benz Gull wing and my new 2010 Mercedes-Benz Gull wing .